County Commissioners move forward initiatives, hear reports

Cheyenne County Commissioners had a full day Monday, discussing routine county business in the morning followed by conducting property valuation protest hearings through the afternoon and early evening.

The morning agenda contained a mix of old and new business, with some initiatives moved forward and others tabled while more information is sought.

County resident Tyson Narjes, who is leading an effort for Cheyenne County to attain a livestock-friendly designation, was at the meeting to discuss the application process.

The status is awarded by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and while largely symbolic, honors a county’s commitment to agriculture.

Narjes explained, as part of the application, commissioners must pass a resolution supporting the livestock industry after holding a public hearing, submit a narrative explaining why the industry is important for the area and supply a copy of county zoning rules and animal feeding regulations.

Following a presentation Narjes made to the board in June, it was discovered a previous Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners had approved a resolution seeking the status. An application was never submitted, however.

Narjes said he is committed the completing the paperwork required for the status. In addition to the initial application, he explained, there is a document that must be submitted annually to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture noting any changes to county zoning regulations.

Commission Chairman Darrell Johnson suggested setting a public hearing for the resolution supporting agriculture for the board’s Monday, Aug. 3 meeting – which was agreed to by the other commissioners.

Potential members of a public defender policy board were also discussed at Monday’s meeting.

The board, which would be comprised of two practicing attorneys and one non-attorney, would be tasked with determining if the county should create a public defender position. If so, the members would also review applications for the job and make a hiring recommendation to the board of commissioners.

According to state statue, there are two ways to create a public defender position: through a policy board or by an election.

A public defender would represent defendants charged in Cheyenne County courts who are unable to pay for counsel. Currently, judges appoint lawyers to represent individuals charged with crimes who are unable to afford counsel and the county pays the bills.

Last year, the county paid $350,000 to court-appointed attorneys, and this year, the number stands at almost $430,000.

“We need a public defender,” Commissioner Philip Sanders said on Monday. “Look at all the money we’re spending.”

Each commissioner offered names of possible policy board members, but appointments were delayed until a larger pool is available, the commissioners ultimately decided.

“We’re still shy a layperson,” Johnson said, before suggesting the issue be tabled until more names are available.

“I think we should,” Sanders replied.

Commissioner Steve Olson concurred, leading to a unanimous vote in favor of tabling the agenda item.

Also at the meeting:

• Bernie Fehringer, Nebraskans For the Death Penalty Cheyenne County chairman, asked commissioners for permission to set up a table in the county courthouse to seek signatures for a petition against the state’s recent repeal of the death penalty.

If enough signatures are gathered throughout Nebraska, the new law, scheduled to take effect in August, could be delayed or placed on a ballot for residents to decide, he said.

County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh said if permission were granted to Fehringer, individuals with the opposite view would also have the same right.

“And it would be my feeling that we should have something set up [to note] that it is not county sponsored,” she said.

Fehringer said that would not be a problem.

Johnson said he supported the request as long as the petition gathering didn’t interfere or disrupt operations of any office in the courthouse.

Sanders made a motion to allow Fehringer to set up a table “with the exception that it’s done in a civil manner.”

The motion passed unanimously.

• After a brief discussion, William Suit was reappointed to the Veterans Service Committee.

• The next Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 20, at 8 a.m. in the commissioners’ room at the Cheyenne County Courthouse.